Ecosystem Member (Ecosystem Member)
Explore every episode of Ecosystem Member
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Mar 2024 | Creating Safe Spaces for All in Nature with Anthony Owosekun, EMPOCA | 00:15:40 | |
Our guest for this episode is Anthony Owosekun, founder of EMPOCA, the only organization in Europe that connects Black kids and teens with nature. On the episode we talk about how Anthony’s experience in the Boy Scouts in Northern Germany influenced his connection with nature and drove him to start EMPOCA, how creating safe spaces to help children connect with nature can help cultivate key life skills like self-reliance, confidence and leadership qualities, and how forming that positive connection with nature can help ensure that they’ll want to act to protect it into the future. The work EMPOCA is doing is really important to make sure outdoor spaces feel welcoming for everyone. As we discussed with Keme Nzerem, co-founder of Opening Up the Outdoors, a few episodes ago this isn’t about exclusion, it’s about making sure all people feel safe in outdoor spaces, especially those people who have historically felt unwelcome. Huge thanks to Anthony for engaging in such an open and honest conversation. Especially since he was generous enough to conduct the interview in English rather than his native tongue, German, of which I haven’t not studied since I graduated from high school far too many years ago. We did experience a few small audio issues, so please bear with us as this conversation is an important one and EMPOCA is an organization worthy of your support. Make sure to visit their website at empoca.org and yes there is a version in English for those of you like me who are not as skilled as our multi-lingual friends. Links EMPOCA Website - https://www.empoca.org/ EMPOCA on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/e_m_p_o_c_a/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 20 Sep 2023 | The Future of the Responsible Company with Vincent Stanley, Patagonia | 00:24:44 | |
Vincent Stanley is the Director of Philosophy at Patagonia having worked there since the very start of the company, holding various roles in sales and marketing, and over the last decade, operating as the Director of Philosophy. He's informally known as the chief storyteller of the iconic company. The occasion for our conversation is the publication of Vincent's latest book with Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, "The Future of the Responsible Company", which is a must read. We start out discussing Vincent's connection with nature and then dig a bit deeper on some of the key topics in the book like the importance of community and having a sense of place, how we can connect industry leaders with nature, and changing the pace and language of business. Massive thanks to Stephanie and Gin from Vincent's team and Patagonia for making this happen. And to Vincent for not just taking the time to chat but being an incredible leader and example for the business world. Order 'The Future of the Responsible Company' - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781952338113 Patagonia's Chairman on Why Milton Friedman's Shareholder Focus is Wrong - https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Patagonia+Chairman+Explains+His+Company%27s+View+of+Capitalism%3A...-a0756931850 Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic - https://www.aldoleopold.org/about/the-land-ethic/ Follow Ecosystem Member on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ecosystemmember/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 20 Dec 2023 | Running to Protect Ecosystems with Majell Backhausen, Ultrarunner | 00:21:38 | |
Our guest for this episode is Majell Backhausen, an Australian ultra runner and all around super interesting human. As you'll hear in the episode, I came across Majell through Patagonia's four part film series of his run across the proposed Great Forest National Park outside of Melbourne, Australia. That nearly 300 kilometer run took just under 50 hours to complete and was the story that helped illuminate the many reasons - from protecting endangered animals to securing a critical water supply for Melbourne - that it is important to protect this ecosystem. In the episode we talk about that run as well as running generally as a means to experience the world, the importance of bringing everyone together on our nature journey and how our lives can disconnect us from life. In addition to his Great Forest run, Majell has an envy inducing list of running adventures on his website alongside links to films he has been in and were made of his experiences. Make to follow him on Instagram at the handle @majellb. We've also thrown some links directly to his films in the show notes. Many thanks to Majell who joined us before taking off on another adventure to Nepal. Links Majell on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/majellb/ Majell's Website - http://majellbackhausen.weebly.com Majell in Patagonia's ' End to End' Film Series - https://youtu.be/4mhOsOGWs6g?si=QTLM33y5G5r26uXM This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 22 Apr 2024 | Connecting people with nature through rap with Hila the Earth | 00:20:12 | |
Today’s guest is a special one. For Earth Day, we couldn’t think of a better guest than Hila the Earth, an eco-rapper who embodies Mother Earth when she performs. On this episode, we talk about why she dons Mother Earth for performances, her transition from Hila the Killa to Hila the Earth, the process of creating one of her songs, and creating a new vision for how we support community and care for each other. One of the reoccurring themes in the episode is collaboration. From Hila’s dream to collaborate with Robin Wall Kimmerer to writing songs with scientists, Hila the Earth is an amazing example of how unique collaborations can bring mainstream attention to often complex issues facing the future of humans and the living beings we share Planet Earth with. Make sure to check out Hila on Instagram and follow her on your favorite music streaming platform. Finally, I want to give a shout out to the Patagonia Action Works platform. It is a platform created by Patagonia with Catchafire to help skilled people like you connect with environmental non-profits that could use your skills. So if you’re a designer, a lawyer, an accountant, a business strategist, a copywriter - literally almost any skill that you apply in your day job, you can use it to help a non-profit doing amazing work. I’ve completed more than 15 projects over the past few years and they are as rewarding for me as I hope they are for the non-profit. So if you do one thing in recognition with Earth Day, visit the Action Works website and search for a project using your skills. In honor of Hila and my own appreciation of Robin Wall Kimmerer, I’ll share this quote from ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’ before we get to the episode: “We can starve together or feast together. All flourishing is mutual.” Links Hila the Earth on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hilatheearth/ Hila the Earth on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/77NNum4ZBx4kmUF9eanJpS Hila the Earth on Apple Podcasts - https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/hila-the-earth/1682028368 Patagonia Action Works - https://www.patagonia.com/actionworks/home/choose-location/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 13 Mar 2024 | Connecting with Nature Through Your Food with Mikkel-Lau Mikkelsen, Forager | 00:26:18 | |
Our guest is Mikkel-Lau Mikkelsen, head of the foraging program at MAD, a non-profit founded by Chef Rene Redzepi of Restaurant Noma to inspire and empower the global hospitality industry to create sustainable change and transform food systems for the future. Foraging is something I am super interested in, but have always been a little hesitant to engage in directly. This conversation answered all of my concerns. In the episode, Mikkel-Lau outlines his background growing up in Copenhagen and finding a connection with nature through more of a kitchen out approach. We discuss how our industrialized food system creates what he calls interfaces that keep us separate from our food, and that foraging can enable a direct connection that can influence how we think about the food we consume, wherever it comes from. We also talk about the method of foraging and the app that MAD developed that combines both the deep knowledge of some of the best foragers in Denmark with some of the best chefs in Copenhagen to give you a one stop shop for getting started on your foraging journey. Huge, huge thanks to Mikkel-Lau for taking time to chat. I think his work and the work of MAD more generally is incredibly important and I am glad he was able to take some time away to share his connection with nature through foraging with us. Make sure to check out the links below for where to download the app, follow Mikel-Lau and his foraging activities on social media and also where to subscribe to MAD's epic email newsletter. Links VILD MAD - https://vildmad.dk/dk VILD MAD App - https://apps.apple.com/dk/app/vild-mad/id1230602644?l=da VILD MAD on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vildmaddk/ MAD Newsletter - https://madfeed.co/ Rene Redzepi on the Launch of VILD MAD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1xTPi8KA9A This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 08 May 2024 | How time in nature boosts health and creativity with Prof. Marc Berman, Environmental Neuroscientist | 00:23:55 | |
We’re back with a new episode with a really fascinating guest - Professor Marc Berman, who runs the Environmental Neuroscience Lab at the University of Chicago, which studies how the physical environment affects the brain and behavior. You’ve probably heard Marc’s name before as he has been one of the go-to experts over the last few years when it comes to understanding how time in nature can improve our cognitive capabilities. This was an interesting chat as Marc came to nature through education, through research with Dr. Steve Kaplan, who specialized in environmental psychology, while he was a student at the University of Michigan. In the episode, we talk about some of the psychological and cognitive benefits of interacting with nature, the difference between voluntary and involuntary attention, the type of natural experiences that are beneficial (spoiler - they can be as simple as your local park) and how some of these benefits can be derived by simply looking at pictures of nature. We also talk about an amazing app that Marc has been working on. If you are a software developer or in the tech world, make sure to listen to the end. Links Dr. Marc Berman in The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/27/the-nature-cure-how-time-outdoors-transforms-our-memory-imagination-and-logic Dr. Marc Berman on CNBC - https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/13/nature-activities-for-20-minutes-a-day-can-boost-mood-and-productivity.html Dr. Marc Berman in APA - https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 01 Oct 2024 | Telling a Better Story with Obi Kaufmann, author of 'The State of Fire: Why California Burns' | 00:41:18 | |
Hello folks, welcome to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast, which might also be my new favorite episode. Our guest is Obi Kaufmann, a writer, a poet, an artist, a backpacker, ecological philosopher and student of all things California ecology. Many of you listening are probably familiar with Obi through his incredible Field Atlas series of California, combining his beautiful watercolors of the more than human world of California alongside equally beautiful data-driven words. In addition to the Field Atlases, Obi has written two thinner works - The State of Water and the newly released The State of Fire, which you should definitely check out if you haven’t yet. In this conversation we explore what is natural and what is nature, the influence of E.O. Wilson’s book ‘Consilience’ on Obi’s work in bridging different disciplines and of course, his Field Atlas series and new book The State of Fire. Many guests I’ve had on are guests that I have learned something from and I want to share that with you the listener. And we learn a lot from Obi in this episode for sure. What I think is unique about this episode and selfishly why I asked Obi to be a guest is that we explored new ground, in the moment. My take away from that exploration is a new understanding of how we think about nature. We’ve discussed before how we are as much a part of nature as white crowned sparrows and Point Reyes National Seashore. However, we still often get hung up on identities like environmentalist and we misuse words like preservation and conservation because we still haven’t fully adopted this idea that we are nature. We donate and volunteer to protect these beautiful places and beautiful species for us, but when we truly bring on board an idea of conservation that includes us rather than being for us, we can shift our orientation because as Obi puts it - there is no daylight between the health of your ecosystem and your own health. It’s not just physical or aesthetic, it is spiritual, it is mental. And I think once we figure this out, we can truly inhabit our membership in the ecosystems. Links Check Out Obi's Website Follow Obi on Instagram Buy 'The State of Fire' Buy 'The State of Water' Buy 'The California Field Atlas' Buy 'The Forests of California' Buy 'The Deserts of California' Buy 'The Coasts of California' | |||
| 01 Nov 2023 | Creating a Sustainability-First Fashion Brand with John Moore, Outerknown | 00:24:31 | |
Our guest this week blew me away. I've talked with a lot of interesting folks who are doing amazing work on this podcast and my other podcast - You Can't Eat Money - but I don't think I've had someone on who is as thoughtful and genuine as our guest for this episode. John Moore, is the creative director and co-founder of environmentally responsible clothing brand Outerknown. If you haven't heard of John, you have probably heard of his co-founder Kelly Slater, widely considered to be the greatest surfer of all time. A decade or so ago - as John recounts in this episode - Kelly asked the earliest members of the Outerknown team if they had really thought about their clothes and where they come from. Despite many doubters - including one very high profile fashion industry executive - about the relevance of sustainability in clothing, Outerknown has been built on it since day one. As you'll find out in this episode, John is the perfect person to bring this to life. With 30 years of experience in the apparel industry - including being one of GQ's menswear designers of the year in 2014 - as well as other creative projects, John was open-minded and connected enough to the natural world to unlearn some of the fashion industry's worst tendencies. And a lot of that inspiration - as you'll hear - comes from his time growing up in the valleys of Southern California and spending time in the surf lineup near his home in Venice Beach. If you listen to this podcast and care about wild spaces and the natural world, you probably know about the worst of the fashion industry. If you want to get the dirty details, I highly recommend checking out 'Unraveled' by Maxine Bedat. But I only tell you that so you can understand just how important and impressive the work Outerknown is doing to track its entire supply chain and drive responsible innovation for people and planet as John puts it. Huge thanks to John for taking time to chat and really sharing his deep relationship with nature and how that informs his work at Outerknown. I hope you enjoy this episode. And if you do, please leave us a positive rating on your favorite podcast platform and share the episode with anyone you know who might be keen to have a more considered closet. Links John Moore and Kelly Slater Chat Sustainability - https://youtu.be/N8MCNfYOiZY?si=j0ZIk5z5d15suvU7 Outerknown Econyl Factory Visit - https://youtu.be/Xsxn8tQAonk?si=xVoRxV5eosTJk_aU Outerknown Website - https://www.outerknown.com 'Unraveled' by Maxine Bedat - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9780593085974 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 18 Oct 2023 | Dr. Easkey Britton, Surfer, Scientist, Writer | 00:23:35 | |
The latest episode of the podcast is with a guest who inspired the core idea for the podcast. Dr. Easkey Britton is an Irish scientist, surfer and writer who specializes in blue health and our relationship with water. She is the author of two amazing books - Saltwater in the Blood and Ebb & Flow, the latter of which was my introduction to Easkey and her work, and how I got to meet Easkey earlier this year at an event at the Finisterre - an amazing water-centric brand if you aren't familiar with it - store in London. In addition to her research on the connection between oceans and human health, Easkey is the co-founder of the Wavemaker Collective, a social impact leadership retreat and has worked on several projects to support women in surfing. And her big wave surfing exploits have been featured in many films including Waveriders. In the episode we focus on our relationship with water. From how the oceans leave a fingerprint on us to kinesthetic empathy and how we can shift from an egocentric point of view to an ecocentric one. We end with a couple of practices to help you create or deepen your relationship with water. Many thanks to Easkey for taking time to chat. She's a true hero of mine and if you haven't heard of her work before I am sure you'll leave this episode feeling the same way. Make sure to pick up a copy of Easkey's book Ebb & Flow, we've got a link to it in the book recommendations at ecosystemmember.com. Links Saltwater in the Blood - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781786785558 Ebb & Flow - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781786786463 Easkey's website - https://easkeybritton.com Easkey's Instagram - https://instagram.com/easkeysurf?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 14 Feb 2024 | Creating Intentional Trail Experiences with Renee Patrick, Thru Hiker and Trail Consultant | 00:21:25 | |
Today's guest is Renee Patrick, a thru hiker, long distance trail consultant, and an environmentalist. Renee is awesome for two specific reasons. One, she's hiked some incredible long distance treks including the Triple Crown in the US, that's the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. And two, she actually designs trails. Yes, Renee designs trails and how people experience them. I am sure many of you are sort of like me and just assume trails appear as people walk repeatedly along the same path, and then some very nice folks come along and help maintain them and somebody maps them. Or maybe at the very least you just didn't really know exactly how your favorite trails got there, but Renee is one of those people who actually helps bring them to life in an intentional way. Make sure to check out the episode and then check out Renee on Instagram @wearehikertrash (https://www.instagram.com/wearehikertrash/) to follow her amazing adventures and to see her latest projects. She also hosts a forum called Intentional Hiking (https://www.intentionalhiking.com/) that we talk about in the episode that is well worth your time to check out. As a reminder, if you like this or any of our Ecosystem Member episodes, please share them. As you've probably noticed, we don't have ads on the podcast and this project is entirely self funded so by sharing this episode, you effectively become the advertising that we don't really have the budget for. It is really, really appreciated. And I get a smile every single time I see someone share an episode. Links
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 05 Oct 2023 | Supporting a Relational Business Model with Eva Karlsson, Houdini Sportswear | 00:22:57 | |
Our guest on the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast is Eva Karlsson, CEO of Houdini. If you aren't familiar with Houdini, it is a Swedish sportswear company that is one of the most forward thinking and environmentally responsible companies on the planet. And a lot of that is down to Eva's progressive leadership. In this episode we talk about Eva's connection to nature, how Scandinavian culture influences Houdini, and the design principles it uses to build its products. We also talk about how Houdini is focused on creating a relational, rather than transactional, business with its customers. Huge thanks to Eva for being on the podcast and make sure to check out the company's latest initiative, Houdini Circle. Links Houdini - https://houdinisportswear.com/en-eu Houdini Circle - https://houdinisportswear.com/en-eu/journal/houdini-circle-rent-reuse-repair-buy-try-or-subscribe Eva's panel from Climate Week - https://youtu.be/c_5kNXWyYMA?si=LkD_RXFNigV7i3iC Robert Strand's "Sustainable Vikings" course - https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainability-csr-scandinavia This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 24 Sep 2024 | Bringing Together Art and Science with Ethan Estess, Environmental Artist | 00:30:41 | |
The latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast is marine scientist turned environmental artist Ethan Estess. I am sure many of you have seen Ethan’s art before at the Outerknown store in Marin, at the U.S. Open of Surfing, the Instagram of musician Jack Johnson or maybe it was the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Wherever you saw it, I am sure it stuck with you. Ethan uses reclaimed materials like fishing nets and golf balls collected from coastal areas to make amazing art with a meaningful story to tell. His often immersive installations and super clean wave-inspired wall pieces are created to tell a story, in addition to beeing aesthetically pleasing. In this episode, we talk about the responsibility Ethan feels being part of planet Earth and how art can be a disarming element to an often tense conversation. As is clear in the episode, Ethan is a really genuine dude who loves our oceans and wants to share that love with the world. I think you’ll really enjoy our chat. A little bit of a bummer is that this episode - despite its epicness - is audio only. I actually recorded it before our previous video episode with Bodhi Patil and I made some mistakes in the setup to get optimal video, but we should be back with another full video episode shortly. Links Ethan and his piece ‘Fore the Waves’ on CNBC Ethan chatting with Fellow Surfer and Scientist Cliff Kapono To check out more Ecosystem Member podcast episodes or our newsletter, please visit ecosystemmember.com. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a five star review of your favorite podcast platform, it really helps boost the visibility of our podcast. | |||
| 31 Jan 2024 | Opening Up the Outdoors with Keme Nzerem | 00:21:17 | |
This episode’s guest is the incredible Keme Nzerem, a journalist, presenter and all around awesome guy here in the UK who I came across when he emceed a Patagonia Oceans event in 2023. His energy is infectious and his wisdom plentiful, so I was really excited when he agreed to record an episode. Not only is Keme an award-winning journalist, he also is the co-founder of a really important organization called Opening up the Outdoors, which is a not-for-profit initiative that focuses on the continued inclusion, education, and enjoyment of outdoor spaces by people of the global majority. In this episode, we talk about Keme's work as a journalist, with Opening Up the Outdoors and as a father helping instill a positive relationship with the outdoors and nature in his children. We also find out that Keme actually learned to ski in South East London, and for those listeners who like me have lived in South East London, you might be scratching your head as to what stop on the tubes the slopes are, so make sure to keep listening for the full story. As a reminder, if this episode connects with you, please share it. And if you're really enjoying the podcast, please leave us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. This helps people find the show, and it helps me great the most interesting guests possible by boosting the credibility of the show. On to the latest episode of the ecosystem member podcast with Keme Nzerem. Follow Ecosystem Member on Instagram - @ecosystem member Keep up with Keme's adventures on Instagram - @nzerem Check out Opening Up the Outdoors at https://openinguptheoutdoors.com Audio Credits White Crown Sparrow (Creative Commons 0) - Zott820 on Freesound.org Merced River in Yosemite Valley (Creative Commons 0) - cbmontes on Freesound.org Great Horned Owl (Creative Commons 0) - Sclolex on Freesound.org This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 17 Jan 2024 | How to Be More Animal with Melanie Challenger | 00:26:22 | |
Hello folks, thanks for tuning in to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. You may have noticed that the run time is a little longer than normal, and that's because I simply couldn't cut a minute of the amazing chat with today's guest, Melanie Challenger. I found Melanie through her book "How to Be Animal" and then read her other incredible book, "On Extinction". In addition to being an amazing writer, Melanie edited a new book called "Animal Dignity", and is the Vice President of the RSPCA, UK. Links Melanie Challenger - https://www.melaniechallenger.com 'How to Be Animal' - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9780143134350 'On Extinction' - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781640094635 'Animal Dignity' - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781350331679 Melanie on The Ezra Klein Show - https://youtu.be/M3Wxyec3FjY?si=bkRIfc8ravPk54g_ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 03 Jan 2024 | Farming with Respect for Nature with Guy Singh-Watson, Riverford Organic Farmers | 00:19:37 | |
Today on the Ecosystem Member podcast, we have Guy Singh Watson, the founder of Riverford Organic Farmers. For our non-UK listeners who maybe haven't heard of Guy, he's a bit of a business and farming legend in the UK. After growing up on his family's dairy farm and then becoming a management consultant, Guy returned to the farm and created Riverford Organic Farmers, which in two stages, he actually completely sold to employees - probably for less than he could have gotten from outside buyers - so the company could stay true to its values. I've been a subscriber to Riverford's veg boxes since I got to England a few years ago. Riverford is in no way paying for or sponsoring this episode, Guy just created a company with full respect for nature and I really admire his leadership on key issues related to healthy food production for people and planet. Links Riverford Organic Farmers - https://www.riverford.co.uk The Guardian on Guy's Sale of Riverford - https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/19/veg-box-riverford-staff-owned-founder-sells-stake-guy-singh-watson Guy on Industrial Agriculture - https://youtu.be/96_CyHSNLXo?si=C5Z4b1WSJWUhHfmA This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 28 Feb 2024 | Working with and for the Oceans with Hugo Tagholm, Oceana UK | 00:21:32 | |
This episode takes us to the Cornish coast, hence the change of intro sounds for this episode and the inclusion of some wails from a hungry grey seal pup. Grey seals are globally rare and the UK is lucky to have a third of the global population. They are particularly near and dear to my heart after I did a project with the fantastic Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust a few years ago and our efforts got some great public support from a Cornwall-based brand called Finisterre. Make sure to check out the organization through the link in our show notes. Our human guest for this episode is the great Hugo Tagholm. Hugo is a massively influential voice and leader in ocean activism in the UK and was my way in to understanding the issues facing the oceans and waterways of my new home in England after moving here a few years ago. He led Surfers Against Sewage into becoming a full fledged charity and one of the most respected and trusted voices when it comes to water issues in the UK. After an incredible run at SAS, Hugo became the Executive Director for the UK at Oceana. In this episode, we talk about the ocean as a great leveler, working with nature rather than against it, how we can spur a just transition to transform our economy and culture for a more environmentally friendly future, and even a little bit of what Hugo talked about with His Majesty the King, King Charles, when he was the Prince of Wales and became a patron of Surfers Against Sewage. At the time of this recording, the King’s cancer diagnosis was not known and so myself and I am sure Hugo wish him a full and lasting recovery. King Charles has been and continues to be a powerful voice in the UK and globally on environmental issues. Many thanks to Hugo for taking time to chat. Make sure to check out the links for a link to Oceana’s latest campaign video in support of banning bottom trawling in our Marine Protected Areas. Links Hugo Tagholm on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-tagholm-2a544235/ Hugo Tagholm on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hugotagholm/ Oceana UK Bottom Trawling Campaign Video - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7166784418081140736/ Oceana UK Website - https://uk.oceana.org/ Finisterre article on the Grey Seals and Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust - https://finisterre.com/blogs/broadcast/cornwall-seal-group-research-trust Thanks to 'schaarsen' for the Grey Seal pup audio. https://freesound.org/people/schaarsen/sounds/662556/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 22 May 2024 | Ersin Han Ersin, Marshmallow Laser Feast | 00:27:16 | |
Hey folks, thanks for tuning in to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. I’ve been really fortunate to have a lot of amazing conversations over these initial 16 episodes, episode 17 might be my new favorite. Ersin Han Ersin is an artist and co-creative director of the art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast. I first came across the collective’s work through Caroline Till of FranklinTill when we were on a panel on about the intersection of creativity and nature in 2020. Since then, I’ve experienced their work firsthand at multiple exhibits in London. In this conversation, we talk about Ersin’s desire move from having just a relationship with the more than human world, to having a friendship and how trees can be a portal that connects us to a more ecological understanding of the world. We also discuss how technology like virtual reality and augmented reality can help us extend our empathy and embody a non-human experience. If you are in the UK, make sure to check out Marshmallow Laser Feast’s new exhibit in Manchester opening in July called Sweet Dreams that explores our place in the food chain as humans. I’ve included a link to more information about this in the show notes, as well as links to many of the artworks Ersin mentions in the episode. Lastly, we’re taking a short break in recording new episodes. So make sure to follow us on Substack and YouTube, where we’ll be sharing some new stuff in the interim. You can find links to both of those, as well as our Instagram account at our website - ecosystemmember.com. Links 'Sweet Dreams' - https://marshmallowlaserfeast.com/project/sweet-dreams/ 'In the Eyes of the Animal' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJMA0Nj_zsA 'We Live in an Ocean of Air' - https://vimeo.com/332218848 'Evolver' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWS4PXbKEOY Breathing with the Forest - https://vimeo.com/912279953 https://marshmallowlaserfeast.com/ https://ecosystemmember.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 10 Apr 2024 | Cleaning and Connecting with our Oceans with David Stover, Bureo | 00:22:19 | |
Today's guest is David Stover, the co-founder of a company called Bureo that I've been tracking for quite a while now. I first came across Bureo through Patagonia, which was an early backer and customer for its products. Now Bureo has brand partners across the apparel and outdoor space from YETI and REI to Rivian and Outerknown. And if you've listened to our episode with Outerknown co-founder John Moore, Outerknown goes the extra mile to partner with only responsible suppliers. As you'll hear David explain, Bureo is tackling the problem of discarded fishing nets in our oceans by working with local communities and governments to set up collection points and create end of life solutions to turn those discarded fishing nets into a recycled material suitable for everything from hat brims and skateboards to gear like rain jackets and Patagonia's iconic Baggies shorts. We start at the start, hearing about how David connected with the ocean as a child on Block Island and how maintaining that connection with the ocean helps him think clearly and operate efficiently as an entrepreneur. Despite some scary stats about the levels of virgin plastic production, I think you'll come away hopeful that there are people and companies taking steps to challenge some of the biggest problems our world is facing today. Links Bureo website - https://bureo.co/ Bureo on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bureo/ Bureo film from Patagonia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LHMZmtpZdg This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 29 Nov 2023 | Community First Climate Justice with Lylianna Allala, Climate Justice Director City of Seattle | 00:20:22 | |
I came across this episode's guest through her inclusion in the Grist 50 list of 50 climate leaders driving fresh solutions to our planet’s biggest problems for 2023. Lylianna Allala is the first ever Climate Justice Director for the City of Seattle, Washington's Office of Sustainability and Environment. As you'll hear, her role is varied but founded on engaging a wide variety of communities including fellow policy makers around the world on issues of environmental and climate justice. Prior to this role, Lylianna worked for Washington congresswoman Pramila Jayapal leading on climate and environmental policy and outreach, and worked directly in ecology on projects including restoring the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle’s largest contiguous forest. Lylianna's diverse experience led to what I think is a really interesting conversation about her role for the City of Seattle, how her relationship with nature guides and informs her work in community engagement, and how slowing down might be the key to effectively fighting the climate crisis. There are a handful of recommended resources at the end of the episode that are linked in the show notes. I also included a link to a podcast project Lylianna helped lead that examined the question - What would it look like, within the next 50 years, for Seattle to become a place where both trees and humans grow old? It is a fascinating listen and hope you check it out after this episode. Links adrienne maree brown's "Emergent Strategy" - https://adriennemareebrown.net/book/emergent-strategy/ Dr. Robert Bullard - https://drrobertbullard.com Ross Gay - https://www.rossgay.net Growing Old podcast - https://growingoldproject.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||
| 17 Sep 2024 | Making Money Moves for the Ocean with Bodhi Patil, Ocean Climate Solutionist | 00:35:46 | |
After an international move, the Ecosystem Member podcast is back and I am stoked to bring you a better than ever version. For as many episodes as possible from now on, we’re going to bring you both an audio and video version of the podcast. And the podcast is now coming to you via Substack, where I’ll also be writing the occasional newsletter. So make sure to not only subscribe via your favorite podcast platform, but email as well at ecosystemember.com or through the Substack app. Our guest for our inaugural video episode is ocean climate solutionist, Bodhi Patil. The vast majority of you probably already know who Bodhi is, but for those of you who don’t, Bodhi is a a UN-recognized and award-winning Gen Z ocean climate solutionist dedicated to enhancing the interconnection between Ocean Health and Human Health, which makes him a perfect guest for Ecosystem Member, where we explore the relationship between humans and nature or the more-than-human world. Bodhi works to increase ocean justice, policy, investment, and action with a global community of young ocean leaders as part of Ocean Uprise, which he founded. This work has earned him an audience with global leaders as a speaker at more than a dozen conferences. His ocean advocacy and consulting work has also helped to shape global marine policy, influence large planet-positive investment portfolios, and educate millions to protect the environment. In this episode, we cover a lot of amazing work Bodhi has done around ocean justice, combating climate anxiety and as he says, making money moves for the ocean. It was a total privilege to have Bodhi on the podcast and we thank him for his time. Make sure to look him up and follow him across social media, we have URLs for all of his profiles below. Links This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com | |||